Sheep{3 s foot roller with lifting mechanism

ABSTRACT

The sheep&#39;&#39;s foot roller is attached to a towing tractor having a fluid power circuit, the roller having an open rectangular frame in which sheep&#39;&#39;s foot rolls are mounted in tandem. Lift mechanisms are mounted on the rear end of the frame behind each roll, and each includes an axle of less length than its related roll. Ground wheels are journaled on the axles. Spaced arms on each axle pivotally connect same to the rear end of the frame. A lug is provided on each axle at its mid-length. An hydraulic cylinder is pivoted at its upper end on the frame above the main plane thereof and carries a double-acting piston having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder pivotally connected to the lug. Ducts connect the upper and lower ends of the cylinders through a suitable valve arrangement with the fluid power circuit of the towing tractor. Means on the frame limit the downward swinging movement of the axle arms. And means on the frame lock the arms at their lower limit of downward swing.

[45] Feb. 18,1975

or Firm-Dowell & Dowel] ABSTRACT upper end on the frame above the main plane thereof Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney, Agent,

Umted States Patent Durham SHEEPS FOOT ROLLER WITH LIFTING MECHANISM Inventor: Harvey Durham, P.O. Box 164, Manila, Ark. 72442 Filed: Nov. 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 415,420

Int. E01c 19/26 [Field of Search 404/121, 126

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wm m m m unna u n n u S .nn a Sen Own,h mnu .D nu e p errhcermrln wuaawaromn OGMUMSMGMSB 82011134667 35666666666 99999999999 lllllllllll 82214619722 l 1. 57087716939 8l54675oo7l9 4l,9.9,9,9,0,61l,0,7, 75268616013 28667874690 ly59-91919101la2tl 1 -2222233333 mgmgnffaxamra I l1.867,05?.

summe PATENTE] FEB I 81975 SHEET P. UF 2 SHEEPS FOOT ROLLER WITH LIFTING MECHANISM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is a novel improvement involving the adaption of hydraulic lift mechanisms having groundengaging carrier wheels to the frames of sheeps foot rollers. lt is acknowledged that hydraulic lifting systems having carrier wheels have heretobefore been used on various agricultural machines such as planting rollers, discs, harrows, and the like. It has been also found that the weight of the sheeps foot roller, plus the possible damage to street surfaces, renders it impractical to move the roller from job-site to job-site without the aid of a carrier trailer or truck. Furthermore, the sheeps foot roller is often used for making intermediate repairs on existing streets or paved areas. The possible damage that the sheeps foot roller could do to the yet serviceable paved areas precludes the turning of the conventional sheeps foot roller on these paved areas. My invention, however, will solve these problems.

The standard sheeps foot roller comprises a drawbar, a substantially rectangular frame and one or more tined rolls mounted in tandem in the frame. The principal object of my invention consists in providing one or more lift mechanisms mounted on the rear of the sheeps foot roller frame behind each of the sheeps foot rolls, each lift mechanism comprising an axle carrying on each end a ground wheel, the axle having arms extending therefrom horizontally pivotally attached to the rear end of the sheeps foot roller frame behind each sheeps foot roll', also comprising an hydraulic cylinder pivoted on an upright member carried by the frame, and having a piston rod pivotally connected to the axle at the mid-point thereof. Each cylinder contains a double-acting piston which is operated through a suitable valve arrangement from the fluid power circuit ofthe towing vehicle or tractor of the sheeps foot roller, so that pressurized fluid will flow from the fluid power circuit of the towing vehicle or tractor to and from fittings on the lift mechanism into the cylinders respectively, which in turn raises and lowers the ground wheel and axle assembly of the lift mechanisms.

The lowering of the wheels of the lift mechanism in turn raises the frame of the sheeps foot roller. When the sheeps foot roller frame is in raised position, a hole in the lower cylinder hinge plate will align with a shackle on the Irear end of the sheeps foot roller frame for the insertion of a shackle pin, thereby locking the sheeps foot roller frame in the raised position for long distance moving. During turning or backing-up of the roller frame the arms of the lift mechanism will rest against stops on the rear of the sheeps foot roller frame to prevent undue stressing of the cylinders. The wheel and axle assembly ofthe lift mechanism is mounted on the rear of the sheeps foot roller frame to minimize over-all width.

Another object of the invention is to provide lift mechanisms each having two ground wheels spaced behind each individual sheeps foot roll on a tandem sheep's foot roller in order to provide better stability when the sheeps foot roll are raised above the ground surface. By using the plurality of ground wheels behind and in rear of each sheeps foot roll it is possible to attach the sheeps foot roller to any agricultural tractor which has an hydraulic system incorporated therein.

A further object is to provide an assembly in which it is possible to turn the machine within a 20 foot area when the ground wheels of the lift mechanism are lowered, and therefore, the sheeps foot roller will not dig up the ground on which the machine is turning.

A further object is to provide an assembly which, in a case of hydraulic failure, a safety device is provided which can be used when transporting the machine from one place to another, so that the sheeps foot rolls cannot accidentally fall on hard surface roads or the like.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide an assembly so constructed that when packing dirt with sand spots, it is possible to drop the ground wheels to roll over the sand spots so that the sheeps foot roller will not damage the sand spots and hinder compaction.

l will explain the invention with reference to the ac companying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

IN SAID DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective rear view of a tandem sheeps foot roller provided with lift mechanisms arranged behind each roller, the parts being shown in the positions assumed when the lift mechanisms are in raised position.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the assembly showing the parts in the positions assumed when the lift mechanisms are in raised position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the lift mechanisms in lowered position, to elevate the sheeps foot roller above the ground or road surface.

The customary sheeps foot roller comprises an open rectangular horizontal frame 1 in which are journaled one or more tned sheep's foot rolls 2, the frame 1 having a drawbar 3 adapted to be attached to a towing vehichle or tractor (not shown) having a fluid power circuit. As shown in FIG. l, the frame l carries two sheeps foot rolls 2 mounted in tandem in the frame l on an axis transverse to that of the drawbar 3.

Lift mechanisms are provided behind each of the rolls 2, respectively, mounted on the rear end of the frame l. As shown, uprights l2 are provided on the rear of the frame 1 behind the mid-lengths of each roll 2, said uprights 12 carrying rearwardly extending lugs 13 at their upper ends which are pivotally connected to spaced ears on the upper ends of hydraulic cylinders 5. Each cylinder houses a double-acting piston having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder and pivotally connected to a forwardly extending lug 19 fixedly secured to the center of an axle 4 of less length than the related sheeps foot roll 2. At each end of each axle 4 is a ground wheel 6 which may carry a rubber tire. Each axle 4 carries a pair of spaced parallel arms 9 xedly mounted thereon and having their forward ends pivotally mounted in spaced ears 7 carried by the rear end of the frame l, as shown in FIG. l, whereby the axles 4 may be raised by the cylinders 5 into the position shown in FIGS. l and 2, or may be lowered by the cylinders 5 into the position shown in FIG. 3.

The upper end of each cylinder 5 is connected by a fluid duct 15 to a T-fitting l1 which is connected to a suitable value arrangement (not shown) in the fluid power circuit of the towing vehicle or tractor. Similarly, the lower end of each cylinder 5 is connected by a fluid duct 16 to a T-fitting 10 which is also connected to the valve arrangement in the fluid power circuit of the towing vehicle. When the valve arrangement is operated to admit fluid under pressure into the lower ends of the cylinders 5, the parts of the lift mechanism will be raised into the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the sheeps foot rolls 2 will be permitted to engage the road or ground surface, but when fluid pressure is admitted into the upper ends of cylinders 5, the parts of the lift mechanisms will be forcibly depressed into the positions shown in FIG. 3, to thereby cause the ground wheels 6 to 'engage the road or ground surface, thereby raising the sheeps foot rolls 2 above the road or ground surface.

During turning or backing-up of the roller frame I when the lift mechanisms are in lowered position as In order to lock the parts of the lift mechanisms' in the y positions shown in FIG. 3, for long-distance moving with the sheeps foot rolls 2 out of contact with the road or ground surface, I provide a pair of spaced parallel struts 17 in alignment with the lug 19 of each lift mechanism between which struts 17 the lugs 19 are adapted to enter when the lift mechanisms are lowered into the position shown in FIG. 3, and removable shackle pins 18 are then inserted into registering holes in the struts and lugs to prevent accidental raising of the lift mechanisms from the road or ground surface until the shackle pins I8 are manually removed.

I claim:

l. In combination with a roller adapted to be attached to a towing tractor having a fluid power circuit, said roller having an open rectangular frame in which a .compaction roll is mounted, a lift mechanisml mounted on the rear end of the frame behind said roll and comprising an axle of less length than said roll; ground wheel means journaled on said axle; arm means fixed at one end on said axle and pivotally connected at the'other end to the rear end of the frame; a lug fixed on said axle; an hydraulic cylinder pivoted at its upper end on said frame above and to the rear of the pivoted connection of the arms means to the frame; a doubleacting piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder and pivotally connected to the said lug at a point thereon which is always located to the rear of the pivotal connection of the arm means to the frame; ducts connecting the upper and lower ends of said cylinder through suitable valve arrangement with the fluid power circuit of the towing tractor; means on the frame limiting to vertical position the downward and forward swinging movement of the axle arm means; and means on the frame for locking the arm means at its lower limit of downward swing.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim l, an upright memberfixed on the rear end of the frame behind said roll opposite said lug, and a rearward extension on the upper end of said upright member to which the upper end of the cylinder is pivotally connected.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim l, said limiting .means comprising a stop plate on the rear end of the frame below the pivot of the axle arm means adapted to engage the said arm means when the arm means is swung into fully lowered position by the piston.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim l, said locking means comprising a pair of spaced struts fixed on the rear of the frame opposite said lug between which said lug enters when the axle is swung into fully lowered position by the piston; and a removable shackle pin adapted to transfix aligned holes in the struts and lug 1 I end on said axle and being pivotally connected at the other end to the rear end of the frame; a lug fixed on said axle at its mid-length; an hydraulic cylinder pivoted at its upper end on said rame above and to the rear of the pivotal connection of the arms to the frame; a double-acting piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder and pivotally connected to the said lug at a point thereon'which is always located to the rear of the piv- 'otal connections of the arms to the frame; ducts connecting the upper and lower ends of said cylinder through suitable valve arrangement with the fluid power circuit of the towing tractor; means on the frame limiting the downward and forward swinging movement of the axle arms; and means on the frame for locking the arms at their lower limit of downward swing.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, an upright member on the rear end of the frame fixed behind said roll opposite said lug, and a rearward extension on the upper end of said upright member to which the upper end of the cylinder is pivotally connected.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim S, said limiting means comprising a stop plate on the rear end of the frame' below the pivot of each axle arm adapted to engage the said arm when the arm is swung into fully lowered position by the piston.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, said locking means comprising a pair of spaced struts fixed on the rear of the frame opposite said lug between which said lug enters when the axle is swung into fully lowered position by the piston; and a removable shackle pin adapted to transfix aligned holes in the struts and lug 

1. In combination with a roller adapted to be attached to a towing tractor having a fluid power circuit, said roller having an open rectangular frame in which a compaction roll is mounted, a lift mechanism mounted on the rear end of the frame behind said roll and comprising an axle of less length than said roll; ground wheel means journaled on said axle; arm means fixed at one end on said axle and pivotally connected at the other end to the rear end of the frame; a lug fixed on said axle; an hydraulic cylinder pivoted at its upper end on said frame above and to the rear of the pivoted connection of the arms means to the frame; a doubleacting piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder and pivotally connected to the said lug at a point thereon which is always located to the rear of the pivotal connection of the arm means to the frame; ducts connecting the upper and lower ends of said cylinder through suitable valve arrangement with the fluid power circuit of the towing tractor; means on the frame limiting to vertical position the downward and forward swinging movement of the axle arm means; and means on the frame for locking the arm means at its lower limit of downward swing.
 2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, an upright member fixed on the rear end of the frame behind said roll opposite said lug, and a rearward extension on the upper end of said upright member to which the upper end of the cylinder is pivotally connected.
 3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said limiting means comprising a stop plate on the rear end of the frame below the pivot of the axle arm means adapted to engage the said arm means when the arm means is swung into fully lowered position by the piston.
 4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said locking means comprising a pair of spaced struts fixed on the rear of the frame opposite said lug between which said lug enters when the axle is swung into fully lowered position by the piston; and a removable shackle pin adapted to transfix aligned holes in the struts and lug when so entered.
 5. In combination with a roller adapted to be attached to a towing tractor having a fluuid power circuit, said roller having an open rectangular frame in which compaction rolls are mounted in tandem; lift mechanisms mounted on the rear end of the frame behind each said roll and each comprising an axle of less length than its related roll; ground wheels journaled on each end of said axle; spaced arms each fixed at one end on said axle and being pivotally connected at the other end to the rear end of the frame; a lug fixed on said axle at its mid-length; an hydraulic cylinder pivoted at its upper end on said rame above and to the rear of the pivotal connection of the arms to the frame; a double-acting piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the lower end of the cylinder and pivotally connected to the said lug at a point thereon which is always located to the rear of the pivotal connections of the arms to the frame; ducts connecting the upper and lower ends of said cylinder through suitable valve arrangement with the fluid power circuit of the towing tractor; means on the frame limiting the downward and forward swinging movement of the axle arms; and means on the frame for locking the arms at their lower limit of downward swing.
 6. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, an upright member on the rear end of the frame fixed behind said roll opposite said lug, and a rearward extension on the upper end of said upright member to which the upper end of the cylinder is pivotally connected.
 7. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, said limiting means comprising a stop plate on the rear end of the frame below the pivot of each axle arm adapted to engage the said arm when the arm is swung into fully lowered position by the piston.
 8. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, said locking means comprising a pair of spaced struts fixed on the rear of the frame opposite said lug between which said lug enters when the axle is swung into fully lowered position by the piston; and a removable shackle pin adapted to transfix aligned holes in the struts and lug when so entered. 